Cost of Living: Gabon vs Japan

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Gabon and Japan.

Data updated: September 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Gabon is 48.9% more expensive than Japan. The biggest difference is in Salaries And Financing, where costs are 81.2% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in Japan, you would spend about $149 in Gabon for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Restaurants 75.5%

Gabon is 75.5% more expensive

Mobile and Internet 65.5%

Gabon is 65.5% more expensive

Rent Per Month 61.9%

Gabon is 61.9% more expensive

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 48.9%

Gabon is 48.9% more expensive than Japan

Most Expensive Categories

  • Restaurants +75.5%
  • Mobile and Internet +65.5%
  • Rent Per Month +61.9%

Is Gabon cheaper than Japan?

No, Japan is cheaper than Gabon

Overall, living costs in Japan are 48.9% lower than in Gabon.

Where Japan is cheaper:

  • Restaurants 75.5% cheaper
  • Mobile and Internet 65.5% cheaper
  • Rent Per Month 61.9% cheaper

Where Japan is more expensive:

  • Salaries And Financing 81.2% more expensive
  • Childcare 58.1% more expensive
  • Household Utilities 51.5% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Gabon: 17.35 $ Japan: 7.01 $
147.5% more expensive in Gabon

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Gabon: 1,127.99 $ Japan: 624.64 $
80.6% more expensive in Gabon

Monthly public transport pass

Gabon: 47.72 $ Japan: 58.97 $
19.1% cheaper in Gabon

1 liter of milk

Gabon: 2.96 $ Japan: 1.56 $
89.7% more expensive in Gabon

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Japan is indeed cheaper than Gabon. You would spend approximately 48.9% on living expenses by choosing Japan over Gabon. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

48.9%

Gabon is 48.9% more expensive than Japan

Restaurants

75.5%

Gabon is 75.5% more expensive than Japan in this category

Markets

1.6%

Gabon is 1.6% more expensive than Japan in this category

Other Expenses

38.1%

Gabon is 38.1% cheaper than Japan in this category

Transportation

25.8%

Gabon is 25.8% more expensive than Japan in this category

Household Utilities

51.5%

Gabon is 51.5% cheaper than Japan in this category

Mobile and Internet

65.5%

Gabon is 65.5% more expensive than Japan in this category

Sports And Leisure

7.4%

Gabon is 7.4% more expensive than Japan in this category

Childcare

58.1%

Gabon is 58.1% cheaper than Japan in this category

Clothing And Shoes

23.0%

Gabon is 23.0% more expensive than Japan in this category

Rent Per Month

61.9%

Gabon is 61.9% more expensive than Japan in this category

Property Prices

22.0%

Gabon is 22.0% cheaper than Japan in this category

Salaries And Financing

81.2%

Gabon is 81.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Gabon Japan Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 17.35 $ 7.01 $ 147.5%
Gabon is 147.5% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 78.09 $ 35.03 $ 122.9%
Gabon is 122.9% more expensive
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 13.02 $ 5.61 $ 132.1%
Gabon is 132.1% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 6.07 $ 3.36 $ 80.7%
Gabon is 80.7% more expensive
Soft Drink (330ml) 1.45 $ 1.12 $ 29.5%
Gabon is 29.5% more expensive
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.39 $ 0.82 $ 69.5%
Gabon is 69.5% more expensive
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.91 $ 0.94 $ 103.2%
Gabon is 103.2% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml) 5.12 $ 2.32 $ 120.7%
Gabon is 120.7% more expensive
Imported Beer (330ml) 5.50 $ 8.42 $ 34.7%
Gabon is 34.7% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 5.69 $ 11.20 $ 49.2%
Gabon is 49.2% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.06 $ 2.04 $ 48.0%
Gabon is 48.0% cheaper
Milk (1L) 2.96 $ 1.56 $ 89.7%
Gabon is 89.7% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 1.47 $ 1.59 $ 7.5%
Gabon is 7.5% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 4.25 $ 4.51 $ 5.8%
Gabon is 5.8% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 5.38 $ 2.24 $ 140.2%
Gabon is 140.2% more expensive
Local Cheese (1kg) 9.11 $ 12.14 $ 25.0%
Gabon is 25.0% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 8.68 $ 6.92 $ 25.4%
Gabon is 25.4% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 26.03 $ 17.18 $ 51.5%
Gabon is 51.5% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 4.34 $ 5.37 $ 19.2%
Gabon is 19.2% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 4.34 $ 2.62 $ 65.6%
Gabon is 65.6% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 3.47 $ 4.78 $ 27.4%
Gabon is 27.4% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 3.47 $ 4.84 $ 28.3%
Gabon is 28.3% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 3.47 $ 2.85 $ 21.8%
Gabon is 21.8% more expensive
Onions (1kg) 3.47 $ 2.65 $ 30.9%
Gabon is 30.9% more expensive
Lettuce (1 head) 3.47 $ 1.39 $ 149.6%
Gabon is 149.6% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 47.72 $ 58.97 $ 19.1%
Gabon is 19.1% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 2.60 $ 4.20 $ 38.1%
Gabon is 38.1% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.87 $ 1.54 $ 43.5%
Gabon is 43.5% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 1.30 $ 4.20 $ 69.0%
Gabon is 69.0% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.75 $ 3.15 $ 76.2%
Gabon is 76.2% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 17.35 $ 23.82 $ 27.2%
Gabon is 27.2% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.05 $ 1.22 $ 13.9%
Gabon is 13.9% cheaper
New Economy Car 29,501.24 $ 23,415.29 $ 26.0%
Gabon is 26.0% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 22,559.77 $ 17,953.06 $ 25.7%
Gabon is 25.7% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 86.77 $ 178.92 $ 51.5%
Gabon is 51.5% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 34.71 $ 27.25 $ 27.4%
Gabon is 27.4% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 69.41 $ 35.66 $ 94.6%
Gabon is 94.6% more expensive
Gym Membership 65.08 $ 60.05 $ 8.4%
Gabon is 8.4% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 26.03 $ 15.69 $ 65.9%
Gabon is 65.9% more expensive
Movie Ticket 4.49 $ 13.31 $ 66.3%
Gabon is 66.3% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 173.54 $ 348.57 $ 50.2%
Gabon is 50.2% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 5,639.94 $ 13,519.03 $ 58.3%
Gabon is 58.3% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 86.77 $ 49.02 $ 77.0%
Gabon is 77.0% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 43.38 $ 32.77 $ 32.4%
Gabon is 32.4% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 52.06 $ 63.16 $ 17.6%
Gabon is 17.6% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 104.12 $ 87.75 $ 18.7%
Gabon is 18.7% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,127.99 $ 624.64 $ 80.6%
Gabon is 80.6% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 520.61 $ 424.63 $ 22.6%
Gabon is 22.6% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 2,603.05 $ 1,366.33 $ 90.5%
Gabon is 90.5% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 997.84 $ 825.90 $ 20.8%
Gabon is 20.8% more expensive
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² ? 6,447.80 $ N/A
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 2,774.70 $ 3,555.73 $ 22.0%
Gabon is 22.0% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 399.13 $ 2,177.14 $ 81.7%
Gabon is 81.7% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 10.00 1.82 449.5%
Gabon is 449.5% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Japan. Enter your monthly expenses in Gabon to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Gabon and Japan goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Gabon vs Japan

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Gabon

  • Basic groceries tend to be more expensive, suggesting different shopping patterns.

Japan

  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Gabon Cost of living in Japan

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